South Carolina Republican Party Chairman Drew McKissick had harsh words for the state's Democratic Party following a report by The Greenville News and Anderson Independent Mail on a candidate for state superintendent of education.

Israel Romero, the Democratic candidate for the office, was convicted of a felony in 2008 for the unauthorized practice of law, records show. State law prohibits convicted felons from running for office within 15 years of serving time.

Following the report, Romero intends to withdraw from the race, according to South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Trav Robertson.

Robertson said McKissick's statements are an attempt to divert attention from problems for the Republican state attorney general.

"Recent news reports document that the Democrat candidate for South Carolina Superintendent of Education was busted on a felony and spent time in jail in 2009," McKissick said in a statement that was emailed by party officials. "And this is who they nominate to oversee education in South Carolina? To teach what, 'How to go from Convict to Public Official in Ten Years or Less'?"

Neither McKissick nor SCGOP executive director Hope Walker responded to calls or emails on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday requesting information on whether the state Republican party conducts background checks of its candidates before certifying them for office.

In his emailed statement, McKissick also raised questions about the record of Constance Anastopoulo, the Democratic candidate for state attorney general, who is challenging incumbent Republican Alan Wilson.

Anastopoulo was charged with a misdemeanor in 1989 in North Carolina for changing a price tag at a store, but the charge was dismissed after she completed conditions requested by the court, according to the court clerk's office of Orange County, North Carolina.

Also, in a 2001 questionnaire submitted to the Judicial Merit Selection Commission in South Carolina, Anastopoulo said she was convicted of driving under the influence twice in North Carolina in the 1980s. The Wake County Courthouse clerk's office confirmed that Anastopoulo, then under last name Apostolou, received a DUI in 1986 and paid the associated fine.

"I realized my problem with alcohol at that time and have dealt with it by abstaining from the use of alcohol completely," she wrote. "I believe my convictions helped me to realize my problem and to deal with it in an appropriate manner. As a result, I am a better person for having overcome this difficulty and moving my life forward in a positive direction."

The commission's report on Anastopoulo called her "knowledgeable" and "intelligent" and said she was qualified for the judiciary although it did not nominate her for the seat she sought on the Family Court for the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

"The Commission’s investigation did not reveal any evidence of unethical conduct by Ms. Anastopoulo," the commission reported.

Anastopoulo has no arrest record in South Carolina, according to a search of records, and she has no felony conviction that would make her ineligible for office.

"You would think that state Democrats would have more respect for South Carolina voters than to nominate candidates with the kind of criminal history that clearly calls into question their judgement, and in one case, even their legal qualifications for the office they're running for," McKissick said in his emailed statement.

Robertson believes the statement is an attempt by incumbent state Attorney General Alan Wilson to divert from the fact that he was named in a grand jury report on corruption in the South Carolina State House.

The report said that Wilson stalled the state grand jury’s investigation into consultant Richard Quinn and his clients for several years.

"He has to go back 30, 40 years to find something negative on Constance Anastopoulo," Robertson said of Wilson. "It is asinine and ridiculous."

Roberston said he wants to make a public call for the FBI to investigate Wilson and his office, accusing them of using state resources and "all of the investigatory tools at their disposal to dig up dirt on political opponents."

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